BALLYLONGFORD
CE SCHEME JOB VACANCIES
We currently have 3 vacancies in the Tarbert Ballylongford CE scheme; Ballylongford Parish Hall Caretaker #CES-2077798, Tarbert Bridewell Heritage Assistant #CES-2077790. Ballylongford Tidy towns assistant #CES-2077794. To see if you are eligible and if you would like to discuss this further please contact Jim O’Connor or Jackie Kissane on 068 43824 or email asdeeballycommunityproject@ gmail.com
POST OFFICE
Unfortunately the devastating news of the closure of our local Post Office has been a major blow again to the whole Community and to rural society in general. Our Post Mistress Jennifer Allen who has done unbelievable work since she took over from Noreen Keane and the Keane family who have been part of the Post Office in Bally for decades are to be thanked and acknowledged to the highest. Her interview with Radio Kerry’s Gerry O’ Sullivan last week was excellent as she gave an accurate and detailed account of her reasons for (1) accepting the severence package offered to her by An Post, and (2) The viability of the business and how new technology has affected the business overall. In her interview she was very upfront about everything and despite being sorry to be parting the scene in the very near future, she did say in effect that if An Post had not offered her this package at this time, then more than lightly it would only be a matter of time before she would be forced to close anyway as she could not afford to keep it going as it would not be viable. While Jennifer’s departure will be of a huge loss to the people of this community she cannot be thanked enough for all the work and help she provided to so many people down the years. The hidden work that she has done behind the scene for people is unbelievable and for that she will always be held in the highest of esteem.
But the sad reality facing this Community now is that when An Post decides to end Jennifer’s contract, that will ultimately and sadly see the closure of the Post Office in Ballylongford for good and will bring an end the services that so many people in this Community relied on and generally took for granted, the small things such as paying utility bills, sorting out postage, and the collection of the pension but to mention a few were all services that were relied upon by the people of the Community which are now to be finished forever. Where our Senior Citizens go to draw their pension on Fridays is now a worry and an extra burden on them, if we need to post a package or other item outside of normal postage we will have to go to a neighbouring village or town. This is the sad reality and one that is going to destroy the very fabric of rural society as we have been accustomed to from generations before us. On this issue which is only one of umpteen issues in train that will affect our people in the very near future and also criple our communities, the deafening silence from our T.D’s and those we have elected and entrusted to look after our interests leaves a lot to be desired. Companies such as An Post and other like minded companies who cut neccessary services and who the Government of the day will support and encourage in way of paying top personnel big pensions etc are nothing short of shameful. Where in Gods name will it all end, just wait until a few years down the road when we will be told that we cannot go and cut or burn turf, and we won’t be allowed to burn Coal or Oil or that we won’t be allowed drive diesel or petrol cars indeed it is a very sad and worrying time ahead for the people of Ballylongford and indeed the other small communities in Kerry and Rural Ireland of which unfortunately nobody in authority is doing anything about. Sad, pitiful and shameful to say the least.
HISTORY BY FR FERRIS
Fr Ferris who served as Parish Priest in the Parish of Ballylongford from 1943 until 1969 was a most holy and a very intelligent man who during his life wrote and published six books, including his major political work The Gaelic Commonwealth (1923) and The Story of Man (1948), He wrote five parish histories of which his History of the Parishes of Ballymacelligott, Ballyseedy, O’Brennan and Nohoval was finally published and launched on Thursday 7th June 2018 last in Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee, by Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne after many years of his details on this being left idle. This book edited by Brendan McCarthy after five year’s work on the original manuscript, will be of immense interest not alone to natives of the parishes mentioned but to all who have in interest in life in Kerry. The book can be purchased (€15) in all good Kerry bookshops. Fr William Ferris was born in 1881 an served as a priest in various parishes in the Kerry Diocese during his career: He served in Listowel (1914-15), Firies (1915-18), Tralee (191822), Rathmore (1922-29), BallymacElligott (1929-34), Millstreet (1934-35), Allihies (1935-38), Glenflesk (1938-43) and Parish Priest of Ballylongford from (1943-69). He died in 1971 aged 90 years and is buried in the church grounds in Ballylongford.
CHURCH NOTICES
The following are the Notices for St Michael of the Archangel for this coming week: Reader’s for Saturday 7th July: Mary Kelly . Sunday 8th July: Grace O’Neill. Eucharistic Ministers for July: Saturday Vigil Mass 7.00pm: Gerry McDaniel, Johanne Sheehan, Joe Deegan. Sunday 10.30am: Noreen Kennelly, Catherine Ahern. Counters for July: Con & Eilish O Hanlon, Jackie Walsh. Altar Servers for July: Saturday 7.00pm: Maurice Flavin, Cathal & Fionn Byrne. Sunday 10.30am: Ross & Dan O Neill. Church and Sanctuary this week: Breda Enright, Mary Moroney, Aileen Wren and Mary Burke. Parish Office: The Parish Secretaries Office at the Presbytery will be open on Tuesdays from 9 to 11am, Wednesdays from 9am to 1pm and on Fridays from 9 to11.30am where mass Bookings, Baptismal Bookings and Wedding Bookings can be made. House Calls: If anyone who is sick or housebound would like Fr. Pádraig to call to them at home please contact the office at (068) 43110. Bus to Papal Mass:The Pastoral Area is organising a bus to Papal Mass being held in the Phoenix Park on Sunday Aug 26th. Those interested in travelling please contact Ballybunion Parish Office (068) 27102. House Calls: If anyone who is sick or housebound would like Fr. Pádraig to call to them at home please contact the office at (068) 43110. First Friday Calls: Wednesday 4th July: Tarbert. Thursday 5th July: Ballylongford/ Asdee.
CEMETERY MASSES
A number of Cemetery Masses takes place in the next few weeks and people from the parish may have loved ones or Family relatives in these Cemeteries. The following are the Mass dates and Venues for these Cemetery Masses.: Cemetery Mass at Aghavallin, Rusheen on this Friday 6th July at 7pm. Killahenny Cemetery Ballybunion on Friday 13th July at 7.30 p.m. Kilconly Cemetery Beale, Ballybunion Friday 27th July at 7.30 p.m. Tarbert Church Grounds Friday 27th July at 7pm; Reilig Mhichíl (Next to Gratto) Wednesday 1st August at 7pm. Lislaughtin Abbey Friday 3rd August at 7pm; Kilnaughtin Cemetery: Friday10th August at 7pm.
BEREAVEMENT
Sincerest Sympathy is extended to the family of the late Robert McKibben R.I.P. of Rathfarnham, Dublin and formerly of Gurthard, Ballylongford who died in Dublin on Saturday 23rd June last. Robert was son of the late Mr & Mrs Robert (Bobby) McKibbin R.I.P.Gurthard. He is survived by his beloved wife Nettie and children Adrienne, Marguerite, Bernice and Robert, sisters Margaret and Betty, sons-in-law, treasured grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family relatives and friends to whom we offer our deepest sympathies at this time. Funeral and Interment took place in Dublin last week. Ar dheis dea go raibh a Ainm.
TIDY TOWNS
Judging is still ongoing in this year’s competition; we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the village can hopefully increase its marks even further this year. You can help Ballylongford do well in the competition by ensuring that your own property is well presented over the period (including front garden, boundary walls, fences, hedges), and by keeping the footpath and curbside outside of your property weed free and clean. Finally, if you have an hour to spare on any given Tuesday or Thursday evenings, why not join us
O’RAHILLY G.A.A. CLUB
G.A.A.Weekly draw took place on Friday 29th June at Kennelly’s Bar. Jackpot €5350. Numbers Drawn 14, 19, 23, 30. No Winner. Lucky Dips €20
Thomas Prenderville Pulleen Tarbert, Mike Ahern Glenculare Tarbert, Mary Stack Tullahinell. 3 Free Tickets Geraldine O’Connor Main Street. Bar Prize Darren Murphy Lenamore. Thank you for your continued Support.